Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Verification of export permits

1. The Secretariat is in possession of evidence that indicates large-scale abuse of export permits issued in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most of the documents concerned relate to shipments of parrot species. Details of the exporter and importer and the quantity of specimens that have been authorized for shipment have been fraudulently altered. This appears to have occurred on a regular basis since 1998 or earlier.

2. It appears that Management Authorities that have contacted the Democratic Republic of the Congo to seek confirmation of the validity of permits may, on occasions, have received forged letters or faxes in response.

3. The Secretariat recommends that, until further notice, no CITES permit or certificate issued in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should be accepted until the Secretariat has confirmed its authenticity and validity.

4. Close inspection of permits and certificates may disclose alterations to the information described above and the Secretariat requests that all Parties examine documents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo presented to them since 1998 for signs of tampering. It also requests to be informed of any alterations that are discovered.